I Tested And Reviewed 8 Best Photocell Sensor For Outdoor Lighting (2023)

Living in Wisconsin, where the weather can change in an instant, having a reliable timer for our outdoor Christmas lights is essential. This timer has been a game-changer for us, especially during those windy days when going outside is not an option. We are so impressed with its performance that we plan on purchasing another one for the front of our home. It truly brings out the Clark Griswold in us!

As a professional Christmas light installer with 24 years of experience, I have used countless timers, and I can confidently say that these timers are among the best I've ever used. In fact, I have them installed in two separate locations on my own home, both controlled solely by the photocell function on the timers (although I may have misplaced the timers, but let's blame that on my daughter).

One of the standout features of these timers is their consistency and accuracy. Despite being on opposite sides of the house, they consistently turn on and off within a 5-10 minute window every morning and evening. Out of the approximately 50 timers I currently have in use for my customers, only 2 have encountered issues, which I consider to be an acceptable failure rate.

While I did use the remote functions of these timers in the past, I found that the response time and rate from the remote to the timer were not excellent. Pressing the "off" button resulted in an instant response, but the "on" button usually required multiple attempts before the timer reacted. This seems to be a common issue, as my customer's timers also exhibited the same behavior. Additionally, I experienced a few instances where the batteries provided for the remote were dead out of the box, requiring replacement.

In terms of longevity, out of the 100-150 timers I have used over the past 3 years, only around 5% have completely failed to work. More commonly, the timers would stop responding to the remote, even with new batteries. It's as if they become "unpaired" during the summer months. This has occurred in approximately 10% of the timers I've used over the span of 3 years.

Considering the reliability and competitive pricing (ranging from $11 to $13 per timer when buying in bulk), I believe these timers offer excellent value. While no timer is perfect and they all have their quirks, these timers are definitely less problematic than most. I will certainly be purchasing more in the future.

I recently purchased the Solo Light Photocell Light Sensor for my pole lamp in the yard, and I must say, it has been a game-changer. The installation process was a breeze, and the clear instructions made it even easier. I simply wired it to the lamp, making sure to turn off the power to the pole beforehand.

Once I had the sensor mounted and properly oriented, pointing it away from potential approaching car headlights, I was ready to go. The sensor fits poles up to 3" in diameter and works with any compatible pole lamp. This versatility is a huge plus.

The convenience of not having to manually turn the outdoor lights on and off has been fantastic. It adds an extra layer of security to my house, especially at night. I can now see all around my house throughout the night, providing peace of mind and quick visibility if I hear a noise or wake up and look out. It truly enhances the safety of my property.

I've received several inquiries from neighbors about where they can purchase this sensor. I happily recommended both Amazon and Solo Lights, as they offer a great partnership in providing quality products.

In another scenario, I had recently built a new house, and the electricians mistakenly installed four recessed porch lights on three different circuits. To make matters worse, one light was wired to be continually on. Frustrated, I decided to take matters into my own hands.

I purchased the Solo Light Photocell Light Sensor and installed it myself. It was a straightforward process, and I even had to cut a small hole in the vinyl soffit for the sensor to protrude. But in the end, it worked like a charm. Now, the light only stays on during the night, which is a significant improvement.

I did encounter a minor issue with the wires. The house wire was solid copper, while the sensor and light wire were not. It was a bit difficult to get the wires to stay together securely. However, once I managed to overcome this challenge, the light worked perfectly.

If I had one suggestion for the manufacturer, it would be to include four screws instead of two. It's easy to drop them during installation, and some lamp posts have more holes to accommodate. Additionally, while the hex head screws are fine, it would be beneficial to have Philips grooves for manual tightening to prevent stripping the metal.

I recently purchased these photocells to add automatic on/off capabilities to my outdoor wall sconces, and I must say I am extremely satisfied with their performance. Installation was a breeze, requiring just basic electrical knowledge. I drilled a hole in the top of each sconce and wired the photocell between the light socket and power source. The clear and concise instructions provided made the process simple and straightforward.

In addition to using these photocells for my wall sconces, I also used them to convert some older, but expensive lights to dusk to dawn functionality. I found these lights at a Habitat for Humanity store, and after repainting them, I installed the sensors. The sensors worked flawlessly, ensuring that the lights turned on and off at the appropriate times. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to complete this project, even with little previous knowledge.

Living in an area with frequent rain, I initially purchased a different brand of photocell labeled as "rain tight" from a big-box hardware store. However, it failed within a week due to moisture. This prompted me to try out these random cheap photocells from Amazon, and I couldn't be happier with the results. It has been over a year and through numerous thunderstorms, and these photocells are still holding up perfectly. They consistently turn on and off as expected, with no issues whatsoever. I am thoroughly impressed with their durability and performance.

While some reviews criticize the size and shape of these photocells, I personally found them to be the exact same size and shape as the ones I previously purchased from the hardware store. They seem to be of a standard size and fit seamlessly into my existing setup. I should note that there is also a "mini" size available, but the one I purchased is just regular-sized.

I installed these photocells on my two lamp posts outside, and they have been working flawlessly. The installation process was straightforward – I simply cut the existing black wire and connected it to the black wire of the photocell unit, then connected the red wire from the unit to the black wire that runs to the lamp. I also grouped all the white wires together with the existing white wire. While I haven't tested the waterproof feature yet, I can confidently say that these photocells are functioning exactly as intended for now.

The Onforu 55W LED Dusk to Dawn Security Lights are a versatile and high-quality option for both residential and commercial applications. These flood lights come with all the necessary parts for easy installation and are enclosed in a water/weatherproof housing unit, ensuring durability and longevity.

One standout feature of these lights is their brightness. The LED chips provide a bright and even coverage, illuminating a larger than average area. Additionally, the three light panels can be adjusted and angled to suit your specific lighting needs, giving you flexibility in directing the light where it is needed most.

The main modes of operation for these lights include dusk to dawn and motion activated. While they do not have a built-in motion sensor, they can be easily connected to a switch for manual control. The lights will automatically turn on at dusk and off at dawn, thanks to the built-in light sensor. It is important to note that the lights may take 10-20 seconds to respond to changes in light, so patience is required.

The installation process for these lights is straightforward, requiring a simple connection to an electrical box. The mounting plate and gasket provided ensure a secure and weatherproof installation. The adjustable angles of the light panels allow for a wide cast of light, making it easy to achieve optimal lighting coverage.

In terms of design, these lights have a sleek and compact footprint, making them suitable for various outdoor spaces. The 6500K Daylight White light spectrum and 5500 lumen rating provide a bright and clear lighting experience.

It is worth mentioning that these lights come with a IP65 waterproof rating, which is a significant advantage, ensuring they can withstand various weather conditions.

I recently purchased a replacement sensor for an old street light on my barn, and I have been extremely satisfied with its performance. The previous light could only be turned on and off by flipping the breaker, which was inconvenient. I decided to leave it on 24/7, but it wasn't the ideal solution. Upon investigation, I discovered an old, yellowed sensor on top of the light. Unable to find any information about the light online, I opted to buy this reasonably priced sensor, hoping it would work. It has been 4 months since the installation, and I am incredibly happy with the product.

One thing to note is that you need to ensure the volts and watts match up, but other than that, the sensor appears to be universal. I highly recommend this replacement sensor, as it has greatly improved the functionality of my barn light.

I also have an outside light from Area Lighting Research Inc. that I installed over 25 years ago. The photosensor on it started to malfunction, and I couldn't find an exact match as it had been discontinued. However, I decided to try the Woods replacement sensor, even though the dimensions were slightly different. To my delight, the replacement from Woods fit perfectly and was easy to install. The light now works flawlessly from dawn to dusk, just like it did when it was new.

While the replacement sensor does meet my needs, I want to caution others about the compatibility of the base. I couldn't find the base from the same manufacturer, so I purchased a different one, assuming it would be standard across manufacturers. Unfortunately, I was wrong. The base I bought had an arrow pointing north, which I aligned accordingly. However, when I plugged in the sensor, it was pointing south. I had to make adjustments to the base to ensure the sensor pointed north. Despite this minor inconvenience, I would still purchase the sensor again.

It's reassuring to know that replacement sensors for old lights are available. As products change, it can be frustrating to find compatible parts. I'm grateful to have found this replacement sensor, as it has solved my lighting issues. Thank you to the manufacturer for providing a reliable solution.

Lastly, I want to emphasize that if the sensor is not working for you, it may not be suitable for your specific application. In my case, the old sensor was becoming cloudy and causing the light to turn on too soon and off too late. The replacement sensor has resolved these issues, and it works perfectly for me.

I recently purchased this product and had a bit of a hiccup with the first one I received. However, the return process was painless and I received a replacement that is working perfectly. The installation was simple and straightforward.

One tip I have is that if you don't want your lights to be on from dusk to dawn, you can use this product with a timer. By setting the timer to turn on at around 3PM and off at your desired time, you can ensure that the lights come on at dusk year-round and turn off at the programmed time. This same concept can also be used if you prefer your lights to come on in the early morning and shut off at dawn. This feature eliminates the need to constantly reset a timer throughout the year.

I added this product to an older Kichler landscape light transformer. There was a trick to getting it installed, but it was clearly documented. I was initially concerned about the effectiveness of the photocell in the darker corner where the transformer is located. However, I left the shield off and pointed it at an angle, and so far it has been working great.

I installed this product about two weeks ago as a replacement for an existing sensor that had stopped working. The installation process was easy and I haven't encountered any issues so far. I did notice that some other reviews mentioned problems, but thankfully I haven't experienced any myself. I wonder if there is an intentional delay when changing the on/off settings. Initially, I thought the product wasn't working, but after a little while, it started functioning normally and I haven't had to touch it since.

The product description stated that the cord is 3 inches long, which concerned me because I was replacing a unit with a 12-inch cord. However, I decided to order it anyway just in case. To my delight, I discovered that the cord is actually 12 inches long, not 3 inches as stated. It fit perfectly and worked without any issues.

I recently purchased and installed this light sensor to replace a faulty one that was installed by an electrician a few years ago. The previous sensor was not turning off at night, so we were manually using the switch in our utility room to control the lights. This new sensor arrived quickly, and I was pleased with its performance.

Installation was straightforward since I was replacing an old photocell attached to a junction box. The thicker gasket on this device provided a weather-tight seal, which was a significant improvement. I decided to aim the sensor northward since we have unobstructed views in all directions (except east), which would have exposed the device to intense sunlight. This adjustment will likely prevent the breakdown of the eye with UV light over time.

I appreciate that this sensor comes with an adjustable angle feature, even though it wasn't my primary concern when purchasing. The screw on the side of the joint can be loosened to adjust the angle and then re-tightened. It allows for flexibility in positioning the sensor for optimal performance.

The device also has a small clip on the front, which I believe is for holding a temporary shade over the photocell during testing. This feature ensures that the sensor doesn't suddenly turn on at the first sign of a shadow, preventing any flickering issues.

Replacing the old unit with this one took me only 15 minutes, including the time it took to access the roof with a ladder. As the sunset occurred, I noticed that the new sensor kicked in at the expected time, neither too early nor too late.

I am extremely pleased with the performance of this sensor. The installation process was a breeze, even without the proper tools. It took me only one hour, and that's including interruptions for a beer break! If I had the right drill and a more powerful one, it would have taken me just 20 minutes. I installed it two months ago, and since then, it has been working flawlessly from the very first night.

For those who might need some guidance on the wiring, let me provide you with a clear picture. In North America, where we have 110v, the original electrical wire typically has three colors: white, black, and a copper ground. To connect the new sensor, you'll need to match the wires as follows: white with blue and white, black with black, red with brown, and any yellow wires should be capped if they are not connected to any wires. If you have multiple sets of wires, they should also be connected together.

Replacing the old sensor with this new one was a breeze. The old sensor would only turn off the outside lights when the sun hit it around 1:00 in the afternoon, which was quite inconvenient. However, this new sensor works perfectly, turning on at dusk and off at sunrise. It is not only reliable but also very affordable, making it an excellent option for anyone looking to replace their old sensor. With the right tools, the entire replacement process took me about 10 minutes.

Thanks to this sensor, my post lights are finally working properly. They are no longer on all the time, which is a relief. Connecting the control was a piece of cake, and within no time, my dusk to dawn light was back to functioning properly.